The SECU

[lowdrag]

I am, it seems, as good as dead. Well, according to the SECU I am, since my account is blocked. I went there today and they told me that my account is closed since they haven't had proof that my pension is still being paid, so I must be dead. I got out my driving licence, my business cards, my credit cards et al, but he was obdurate; until they have a letter from the UK saying I am alive and in receipt of my pension my account stays closed so I must pay for my medicines. I asked why I should need medicines if I am dead. No answer to that.

So I rang Newcastle and spoke to one of the English fonctionnaires. Yes, I can have a letter confirming I am in receipt of a UK state pension but since they have a bulk deal elsewhere and don't use the Post Office it will take six weeks until I receive the letter. I suggested that paying the Royal Mail might be more efficient, but that fell on deaf ears.

"Can't you email it" I timidly asked.

"Not permitted" was the stern reply; "but we can fax it within one working week".

"Can't you just press a button and fax it to me now" I asked

"Oh no, it has to be typed manually, then printed and returned to us for faxing, and that takes five days".

So for now I have to pay for my own prescriptions, until one glorious day I can present to the SECU the official letter4 confirming I am alive. Wonderful world we live in, isn't it?

[Promised Land]

lowdrag said:

I suggested that paying the Royal Mail might be more efficient, but that fell on deaf ears.

You don't seem to like deaf people for some reason, what have they done to you?

[Russwhitehouse]

Bet he was Polish as well!

[Loudy McFatass]

It's a shame you don't know a journist of some description, papers would lap this story up.

[dudleybloke]

śrubokręt.

[rich83]

dudleybloke said:

srubokret.

głuchy czlowiek

Edited by rich83 on Tuesday 17th March 23:22

[HollywoodStig]

A gift that keeps on giving...

[bingybongy]

This has to be a wind up.

Bloody good one though.

Do you have a screwdriver I could borrow?

[Loudy McFatass]

lowdrag said:

I am, it seems, as good as dead. Well, according to the SECU I am, since my account is blocked. I went there today and they told me that my account is closed since they haven't had proof that my pension is still being paid, so I must be dead. I got out my driving licence, my business cards, my credit cards et al, but he was obdurate; until they have a letter from the UK saying I am alive and in receipt of my pension my account stays closed so I must pay for my medicines. I asked why I should need medicines if I am dead. No answer to that.

So I rang Newcastle and spoke to one of the English fonctionnaires. Yes, I can have a letter confirming I am in receipt of a UK state pension but since they have a bulk deal elsewhere and don't use the Post Office it will take six weeks until I receive the letter. I suggested that paying the Royal Mail might be more efficient, but that fell on deaf ears.

"Can't you email it" I timidly asked.

"Not permitted" was the stern reply; "but we can fax it within one working week".

"Can't you just press a button and fax it to me now" I asked

"Oh no, it has to be typed manually, then printed and returned to us for faxing, and that takes five days".

So for now I have to pay for my own prescriptions, until one glorious day I can present to the SECU the official letter4 confirming I am alive. Wonderful world we live in, isn't it?

Just in case...

[ApOrbital]

I would have strong words with the fridge.

[MacW]

ApOrbital said:

I would have strong words with the fridge.

What if it's deaf?

[Le TVR]

Just like to point out that no administrative service I have ever dealt with would accept a fax as a legal document.

If you weren't dead you'd be really stuffed

[Fatt McMissile]

Sounds to me as though Newcastle haven't received your life certificate and have told SECU that they won't pick up the tab. A lot of us received the demand for proof of life a few weeks ago.
?
Steve

[Driller]

You seem quite annoyed, I like the bit about dead people not needing medicine I have to admit I don't really understand how it works for retired folk coming to France and using the Secu. Do you pay social charges and income tax here?

Edited by Driller on Wednesday 18th March 17:56

[sneijder]

OP, you know how all this seems a bit weird ?

It's because you're dead.

[Fatt McMissile]

Driller said:

Do you pay social charges and income tax here?

Yes although it is reduced because if you are in receipt of a UK state pension (no matter how small and including disability pensions), the UK pays your and your dependant's CPAM bill. Whether it be on an itemised account, or as an annual assurance premium I don't know.

You may remember if you arrived here with all your UK NI stamps up to date, being eligible for a temporary S1 from Newcastle which, on presentation to CPAM got you a health cover attestation for two years? Same thing, although I understand that temporary S1s are being phased out, which will affect Brits thinking of early retirement to France and thus house sales in some areas.

Every so often Newcastle sends it's pensioners abroad a "life certificate" in order to ensure that a pension is not being fraudulently drawn. The Mairie or similar will sign and stamp it and you return it to Newcastle. If one didn't receive it after it was sent, or it isn't returned for whatever reason, the pension stops and the S1 is cancelled.

Steve

[lowdrag]

Yup, I filled in the "life certificate" and a month later had another, followed one day later by a call from Newcastle telling me not to bother since they had already received the first one. Now I understand why they have cancelled my card. I went yesterday to the SECU with the pension augmentation letter, passport, driving licence, bank statements et al and they say they'll reinstate me - in about three weeks.

Thanks Fatt for explaining the basis of the cock up.

[Fatrat]

I would ask the Telegraph to write a piece about it

[ApOrbital]

[bingybongy]

Fatrat said:

I would ask the Telegraph to write a piece about it